Structure for releasable attachment of bracelet sections



April 9, 1963 E. RODRIGUEZ I 3,084,412

STRUCTURE FOR RELEASABLE ATTACHMENT 0F BRACELET SECTIONS Filed April 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GJ ATTORNE Y5 April-9, 1963. E. RODRIGUEZ STRUCTURE FOR RELEASABLEZ ATTACHMENT 0F BRACELET SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1962 INVENTOR.

[41a PODP/ 60 2 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 sun 3,084,412 STRUfiTURE Filit RELEASABLE ATTAiIHMENT (0F BRACELET SEQTEGNS Emil Rodriguez, N w York, N.Y., assignor to .l'acohygender, inc, Woodslde, N.Y., a corporation of New orlt Filed Apr. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 18,345 25) Claims. (ill. 24--2t:)

The present invention relates to structure for permitting two bracelet sections to be releasably secured to one another, and is particularly well adapted for the detachable connection of an end piece to a bracelet linkage formed of resiliently telescoping parts.

Bracelets are often formed, of a plurality of sections which are specifically ditferent in construction. Each of those sections are individually manufactured and assembled, and they must then be secured to one another upon initial assembly of the bracelet. This securement must be reliable, for obvious reasons. The occasion often arises, however, that separation of the two bracelet sections is desired, as, for example, if one section becomes damaged and needs to be replaced. If the detaching operation can be performed readily and without damage to the bracelet parts, said operation can be performed at a retail establishment and the bracelet will not have to be returned to the factory or be operated upon by a skilled workman.

These problems often arise in connection with resiliently expansible watch bracelets, in which first bracelet section.

comprises the bracelet proper, second bracelet sections in theform: of end attachments being secured to the ends of the first bracelet section. These end attachments are designed to engage the lugs at the. ends of the watch to which the bracelet is to be secured. Watch case constructions differ widely from one another with regard to the structure provided thereon for securing bracelets thereto, and in each case an end attachment must be utilized which corresponds to the individual watch with which the bracelet is to be used. This presents a serious problem to the retail vendor of watch bracelets, since bracelets are ordinarily sold independently of and separate from the watches with which they are to be used. The problem is further complicated by differences in watch casestyling, whichcall for matching differences in the bracelets and end attachments used therewith.

The primary object of the present invention is to pro-- vide a structure by means of which 'two bracelet sections, and especially a bracelet linkage and an end attachment therefor, may readily and reliably be secured together, whether during initial assembly of the bracelet or at the point of sale thereof, and may equally readily be disassernbled when desired. As a result initial manufacture of the complete bracelet is facilitated, and at the same time the task of the retail jeweler in fitting or adapting the bracelet chosen by his customer to any givenwatch case construction is greatly facilitated.

The structure of the present invention is particularlyadaptcd for use with a bracelet linkage composed of resiliently urged telescoping parts, and the attachment thereto of adjustable width end pieces of the type shown in Burkhardt Patent 3,030,686 of April 24, 1962, but in its broader aspects it is not limited thereto.

in accordance with the present invention the section defined by the bracelet linkage proper has a linkpart which can be moved out therefrom against the action of a spring, that part being provided with a longitudinally cut-away portion on the outer edge thereof and with a pair of slots on either side of the cut-away portion; The

end connector defining the second bracelet section is provided with a pair of laterallyextending arms connected "ice to the body thereof by a neck portion. The arms carry hooks which are adapted to enter the slots on the aforementioned part of the first bracelet section and to engage that part. The neck on the end attachment is received in the cut-away portion on the aforementioned part of the first section. Resilient means are provided to cause the hooks on the end piece to remain in engagement with the linkage part. This resilient means is preferably already in existence in the bracelet proper, and may comprise either the resilient means which makes the bracelet linkage resiliently expansible, or the resilient means which produces width adjustability in the end attachment (if such resilient means is present), or both. in order to assist in producing secure attachment of the two bracelet sections, the hooks, when engaged with the part provided with the slots, may extend over that part in two angularly related directions, e.g., both laterally and longitudinally of the bracelet proper, the slots being suitably shaped to define first areas through which the hooks can freely pass and second areas into which the hooks are movable when attachment of the two bracelet sections is-to be effected, the aforementioned resilient means being active to retain the hooks in those second slot areas.

By means of the structure here disclosed the bracelet linkage proper and the end attachment therefor can each be designed, manufactured and assembled in a manner best suited to its individual function, and then reliably assembled together rapidly and effectively by unskilled personnel and without requiring the use of special tools or assembling machinery. Moreover, the assembly of the bracelet linkage and end attachment, or the disassembly thereof, can be performed at the point of sale by the retail jeweler, t.ereby facilitating repair and replacement of parts as well as facilitating the matching of an end attachment to a given bracelet and to a given watch case.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a bracelet construction as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first bracelet section formed of telescoping link parts to which an adjustable width end attachment is secured in accordance with the present invention;

FlG.-2 is a bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the linkage and end attachment of FIG. 1;

FlGS. 3, 4 and 5 are cross sectional views taken respectively along the lines 33, i4 and 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bracelet linkage proper taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, the linkage being shown in partially resiliently expanded condition; and

FIG. 7 is a three-quarter perspective exploded view of the various parts of the device.

The bracelet consists of first and second sections generally designated A and E which are to be detachably connected together. As here specifically disclosed the first bracelet section A comprises a link chain, and preferably one which is resiliently extensible, while the second bracelet section B comprises an end attachment adapted to secure the bracelet to a watch case, and preferably a variable width end attachment of the type shown in the aforementioned Burkhardt Patent 3.030.686.

The first bracelet section A, in the form here specifically disclosed, comprises a plurality of outer link assemblies generally designated 2, adjacent assemblies 2 being connected to one another by parts 4 which are telescopically associated therewith and which are resiliently urged to terescoped position by means of springs 6. The part generally designated 8, telescopically related to the end link assembly 2 and movable out therefrom in the direction of 3 the end of the link chain, is similar to the parts 4 but constitutes an end link part which is adapted to be utilized in accordance with the present invention to make detachable connection with the second bracelet section B.

More specifically, the outer link assemblies 2 comprise a bottom part generally designated and a top part generally designated 12, the bottom part it) comprising a bottom wall 14 from the ends of which vertical walls 16 extend, substantially horizontal walls 18 extending out laterally from the tops of the end walls 16 and having vertical walls 2t) extending up therefrom. Side walls 22 of abbreviated height extend up from the sides of the bottom walls 14. The top parts 12 comprise a top wall 24 with depending end walls 26 the lower portions 28 of which define securing tabs. Side walls 3% extend down from the side edges of the top wall 24. The connecting parts 4, as well as the end part 55, comprise bottom walls 32 having a length closely the same as that of the bottom walls 14 of the bottom link parts it Vertical walls 34 extend up from the bottom walls 32 and have horizontal walls 36 extending out therefrom. The height of the vertical walls 3 is somewhat less than the height of the vertical walls 16 of the link bottom parts ft). Side walls 38 extend up from the sides of the bottom wall 32 to points above the horizontal walls 36, these vertically extending side walls 33 preferably being separated by gaps 4i). Downwardly extending side walls 42 may be provided in line with on or a part of the gaps 4d, the side walls 42 having a height much less than the height of the upwardly extending side walls 3-3 and corresponding more or less to the height of the side walls 22 on the link bottom parts it). The springs 6 may take a variety of forms, and are here shown as comprising bowed spring strips having a length substantially that of the bottom walls 32 of the parts 4.

The outer link assemblies 2 are formed by placing a top part 12 on a bottom part it the top part 12 being supported vertically by the upper edges of the vertical walls 20* on the bottom part 10, the parts 10 and 12 being permanently secured together by bending the connecting tab portions 28 around the corners defined between the walls 18 and 28 at each end of the bottom part 10. With the parts it} and 12 in this position, the upper edges of the walls 22 on the bottom part 10 will be spaced below the lower edges of the side walls 3! of the top part 12, thereby defining openings in the sides of the outer link assemblies 2, and close to the bottom walls 14 thereof, of a length and height such that the walls 32, 34- and 36 of the connecting parts 4 and 8 are freely slidable therethrough.

Each connecting part 4 extends between and into an adjacent pair of outer link assemblies 2 by passing through the thus formed openings in the opposed sides of those as semblies 2, the walls 36 of the connecting parts 4 slidably resting on the walls 18 of the bottom link parts 11 The leaf springs 6 are disposed within the outer link assemblies 2 above the bottom walls 32 of the connector parts 4, the central portions of those springs 6 engaging the central portions of the side walls 30 of the top link parts 12. and the tips of those springs engaging the upwardly extending side walls 38 of the connecting parts 4.

The end link part 8 is located within the endmost outer link assembly 2 so as to be movable out therefrom beyond the end thereof against the action of the spring 6 in operative engagement therewith. This end link part 8 is provided, along its outwardly facing side and between the vertical walls 38, with a longitudinally cut-away portion 44, and it is further provided with a pair of slots 46 extending therethrough, those slots 46 being located axially inwardly of and to either side of the cut-away portion 44. As may best be seen from FIG. 6, the slots 46 are preferably so shaped as to define relatively wide portions or areas 46a communicating with relatively narrow portions or areas 46!), the narrow portions or areas 46b being directed axially outwardly of the bracelet linkage relative to the wide slot areas 46a.

The bottom wall 14 of the bottom part '10 of the endmost outer link assembly 2 is provided with an aperture 48 so positioned on the bottom wall 14 that when the endlink part 6 is moved outwardly substantially as far as it can go the aperture 48 is uncovered thereby. When the end link part 8 is in such outer position its slots 46 will be exposed beyond the endmost link assembly 2.

The second bracelet section B, in the form here specifically disclosed, is of a type having an adjustable automatic width-sizing feature, so that it may be used with watch cases having pairs of attaching lugs at each end thereof, the attachment automatically adjusting itself to the spacing between a pair of lugs at a given end of the watch case. It may comprise a base plate 50 having, at its end adapted to be directed toward the first bracelet section A, an upwardly extending wall 52 with a narrow neck portion 54 extending up therefrom and then bent to extend out therefrom, the neck portion 54 carrying a pair of laterally extending arms 56 which are spaced from the base plate 50 and its wall 52, gaps 58- being formed therebetween. The arms 56 carry hooks 60 which are bent down therefrom and open toward the base plate 50, the lower parts of the hooks 69 preferably being provided with outwardly laterally extending tabs 62. The width of the hooks proper 69, exclusive of the tabs 62, is closely the same as the width of the narrow slot portions 461) in the end link part 8, and the overall width of the hooks 66, including the tabs 62, is less than the width of the wider slot portions 46a in the end link part 8.

Mounted on the base plate 50 for laterally slidable movement are elements generally designated 64 and 66. These elements are generally similar, differing from one another primarily in that they are respectively adapted for left and right hand operation. Similar reference numerals will be applied to similar parts. Each comprises a first portion 68 and a second portion 70. The first portions 68 of the two elements 64 and 66 are adapted to be superposed over one another and over the base plate 5% the second portion 70 of that element whose first portion 68 is uppermost (here shown as the element 64-) being stepped downward therefrom so that the second portions 70 are in alignment. Each first portion 68 has a width somewhat less than the width of the base plate 50. Each is provided with a pair of laterally elongated slots 72 which are adapted to register with one another and through which eyelets 74 are adapted to pass, those eyelets also passing through apertures 76 formed in the base plate 50, the eyelets being headed over the uppermost of the element portions 68. Thus the eyelets 74 retain the first element portions 68 in proper position relative to one another and to the base plate 50, the element portions 72 being laterally slidable and the degree of sliding movement being limited by engagement between the eyelets 74 and the ends of the slots 72. Each of the first element portions is provided at one side thereof with a hook 78, and the spring 3i), of the tension type, is engaged with and extends between the books 78. The arrangement is such that the tension of the spring 8th tends to slide each of the element portions 68 laterally outwardly.

The second element portions 70 are formed integrally with the first element portions 68 but are of abbreviated width than, and extend out laterally from, the first element portions 68. In the form here specifically disclosed they are tubular in nature so that a conventional spring pin can be passed therethrough, and comprise a bottom wall 82, a front wall 84, a top wall 86 and a rear wall 98 of abbreviated height from which an upwardly curved part 92 extends to define a track means, the track means part 92 being spaced above the first element portion 68 adjacent the point where it joins the second element portion 70 and having an appreciable length in a lateral direction. The top wall 86 is preferably ornamented or configured to produce a desired ornamental effect. When the base plate 50, the slidable elements 64 and 66,, and the spring 80, are assembled, the tips of the second element portions 70 extend out laterally beyond the base plate 50, the spring fitlremaining under tension but being in relatively contracted condition.

The end attachment defining the second bracelet section B is provided with an ornamental shell generally designated 94 which comprises first and second portions 96 and 98, respectively which correspond to the first and second portions 68 and 70 of the slidable elements 64 and 66. The first portion 96 of the shell 94 is box-like in nature and comprises a rear wall 100, side walls 102 and a top wall 104. Tabs 106- depend from the side walls 102.

The second shell portion 98 extends forwardly from the first portion 96 substantially centrally of the width thereof and is of abbreviated Width relative thereto. It comprises a suitably ornamentad or shaped top wall 108 from which a front wall 110 depends, a tab 112 extending downwardlyfrom the front wall 110.

The shell 94 is adapted to be placed over the remainder of the end attachment B with its first portion 96 covering the base plate 50, the first element portions 68 slidably mounted thereon, and the spring 80 which resiliently connects those first element portions 68, the first shell portion 96 further covering the neck 54, arms 56 and books 60, the hooks 68 extending downwardly away from the shell portion 96. The shell 94 is adapted to be held in position by the tabs 106 which extend around the side edges of the base plate 50 and are bent beneath the lower surface thereof in conventional fashion.

The second shell portion 98 overlaps theinner ends of the second element portions 86 when the elements 64 and 66 are laterally outwardly positioned as far as they can go but the outer ends of the second element portions 86 are exposed over appreciable lateral distances. The second shell portion 93 is held in place by causing the tab 112 to be received in the gap 114 (see FIG. 7) at the end of the base plate 50, the tab 112 then being bent beneath the lower surface of the base plate 50 in conventional fashion.

When the two braclet sections A and B are to be.con

nected to one another the end link part 8 is pulled out from the outer link assembly 2 with which it is associated, against the action of the spring 6, in order to .expose the slots 46. in order to retain the end link part 8 in this outwardly moved position during manipulation of the sections A and B for attachment purposes, a pin or like instrument is inserted up into the endmost outer link assembly 2 via the aperture 48 formed in the bottom wall '14 thereof. This pin extends behindthe end link part 8 and thus positively prevents it from retracting into the endmost outer link assembly 2 under the infiuence of the spring 6.

The thus outwardly extending end link part 8 is then moved beneath the arms 56 carried by the section B, the neck portion 54 of the section 'B is moved into the cutaway portion 44 of the end link part 8, and the hooks 60 are brought into approximate registration with. the wide slot portions 46a on the end link part 8. In so ,doing the end walls 38 of the end link part 8 will engage the spring 80. In order to bring the hooks 60 into complete registration with the wide slot portions 46a, it is preferably necessary to move the end link part 3 into the section B to such a degree as to resiliently distort the spring 39. The books 66 are then moved down through the wide slot portions 46a, after which the end link part 8 is pulled away from the section B, the hooks 60 then entering the narrow slot portions 46b and engaging around edges thereof, thus securing the two sectionsA and B together. It is preferred that when :this engagement has been accomplished the spring 80 is still engaged by and somewhat resiliently distorted by the end link part 8, and more particularly its end walls 38, so that the resiliency of the spring 86 in thus being distorted 503 said section, a central longitudinally out-away portion and 1 moved, and the spring 6 operative on the end link part Scauses the latter to telescope within the endmost outer link assembly 2. It will be noted that the pull of the spring 6 on the end link part 3 is such as to tend to retain the hooks 60 in the narrow slot portions 46b and in engagement with the part 8, thus further ensuring sccurity of attachment between the sections A and B.

The purpose of the offset tabs 62 on the hook 60 is to provide an added degree of security by preventing dis engagement of the hook 69 from the end link part 8 even when the sections A and B are quite sharply flexed relative to one another. With the tabs 62 more fiexure will not accomplish disengagement; it is necessary that the books 68 with their tabs 62 be bodily translated so as to'come into registration with the wide slot portions 46a before detachment can be elfected.

The process of detachment corresponds to the process of attachment above described, except that the sequence of manipulative operations is reversed.

It is noteworthy that the structure by means of which detachable attachment of the sections A and B is accomplished is rendered secure and positive in operation by means of elements (the springs 6 and which are already provided in the sections A and B to produce known desirable, functions. Thus the method of connection here disclosedis particularly economical in connection with the type of section structures specifically illustrated. It will be understood, however, that the instant method of attachment would still be effective and desirable even if special means had to be provided functioningsubstantially in the manner described and solely for the purpose, of ensuring reliability of attachment.

Afurther advantage of the structure here disclosed and claimed is that the parts thereof may all be made and assembled in a manner conducive to economical quantity production.

While but a single embodiment of the present invention has, been here specifically disclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may be made therein, all within the scope of the instant invention as defined in the, following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a first bracelet section having an end link part movable toward and away from said section, said part having on the portionthereof movable out of a slot to one side of said cut-away portion, and a second bracelet section having a base, a neck extending therefronrtoward said first section and received in said cutaway portion of said endlink part, an arm extending laterally from said neckand spaced from said base, and a hook carried by said arm, said hook passing through said slot in said end link part and extending around an edge of said slot, thereby to secure saidtwo sections together.

2. The combination of claim 1, in which said second bracelet section comprises a spring, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by said end link part when said hook extends. around. said slot edge..

'3. The combination of claim 1, in which said second bracelet section comprises an end attachment of variable width comprising a movable part and a spring operatively connected thereto, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by said end link part when said hook extends around said slot edge.

4. In the combination of claim 1, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it toward said first bracelet section, said hook opening in a direction away from said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hook.

5. In the combination of claim 1, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it toward said first bracelet section, said first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is positioned outwardly relative to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outward position.

6. The combination of claim 1, in which said slot has a wide portion remote from said neck and a narrow portion closer to said neck, said hook having an upwardly extending portion received in the narrow portion of said slot and having a rearwardly bent portion which is at least in part laterally offset relative to said upwardly extending portion of said hook, said rearwardly extending portion being passable through said wide slot portion but laterally overlapping said link part adjacent said narrow slot portion when said upwardly extending portion is received in said narrow slot portion.

7. The combination of claim 1, in which said second bracelet section comprises a spring, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by said end link part when said hook extends around said slot edge, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it toward said first bracelet section, said hook opening in a direction away from said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hook, said first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is positioned outwardly relative to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outward position.

I 8. In combination, a first bracelet section having an end link part telescopable into and out of said section, said part having on the portion thereof movable out of said section, a central longitudinally cut-away portion and a pair of slots on either side of said cut-away portion, and a second bracelet section having a base, a neck extending therefrom toward said first section and received in said out-away portion of said end link part, a pair of arms extending laterally from said neck and spaced from said base, and a pair of hooks carried by said arms respectively and having portions extending respectively upwardly and then rearwardly generally toward said neck, said hooks passing through said slots in said end link part and extending around the edges of said slots, thereby to secure said two sections together.

9. The combination of claim 8, in which said second bracelet section comprises a spring, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by said end link part when said hooks extend around said slot edges.

10. In the combination of claim 8, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it into telescoped relation with said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hooks, said first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is telescoped outwardly relative to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outwardly telescoped position.

' 11. The combination of claim 8, in which said slots have wide portions remote from said neck and narrow portions closer to said neck, said upwardly extending portions of said hooks being received in said narnow portions of said slots and said rearwardly extending hook portions being at least in part laterally olfset relative to said upwardly extending hook portions, being passable through said wide slot portions, and laterally overlapping said end link part adjacent said narrow slot portions when said upwardly extending portions are received in said narrow slot portions.

12. The combination of claim 8, in which said second bracelet section comprises an end attachment of variable width comprising a movable part and a spring operatively connected thereto, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by said end link part when said hooks extend around said slot edges, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it into telescoped relation with said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hooks, said first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is telescoped outwardly relative .to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outwardly telesooped position, said slots have wide portions remote from said neck and narrow portions close to said neck, said upwardly extending portions of said hooks being received in said narrow portions of said slots and said rearwardly extending hook portions, being at least in part laterally offset relative to said upwardly extending hook portions being passable through said wide slot portions, and laterally overlapping said end link part adjacent said narrow slot portions when said upwardly extending portions are received in said narrow slot portions.

13. In combination, a first bracelet section having an end link part telescopable into and out of said section, said part having on the portion thereof movable out of said section a central longitudinflly cut-away portion, a pair of downwardly extending walls flanking said cut-away portion and a pair of slots on either side of said cut-away portion, and a second bracelet section having a base, a neck extending therefrom toward said first section and received in said cut-away portion of said end link part, a pair of arms extending laterally from said neck and spaced from said base, and a pair of hooks carried by said arms respectively, said hooks passing through said slots in said end link part and extending around the edges of said slots, thereby to secure said two sections together.

14. The combination of claim 13, in which said second bracelet section comprises a spring, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by at least one of said downwardly extending walls of said end link part when said hooks extend around said slot edges.

15. In the combination of claim 13, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it into telescoped relation with said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hooks, said first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is telescoped outwardly relative to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outwardly telescoped position.

16. The combination of claim 13, in which said slots have wide portions remote from said neck and narrow portions closer to said neck, said hooks having upwardly extending portions received in the narrow portions of said slots and having rearwardly bent portions which are at least in pant laterally iofiset relative to said upwardly extending portions of said hooks, said rearwardly extending portions being passable through said wide slot portions but laterally overlapping said end link part adjacent said narrow slot portions when said upwardly extending portions are received in said narnow slot portions.

17. In combination, a first bracelet section having an end link part telescopable into and out of said section, said part having on the portion thereof movable out of said section a central longitudinally cut-away portion, a pair of downwardly extending walls flanking said cut-away portion and a pair of slots on either side of said cut-away portion, and a second bracelet section having a base, a neck extending therefrom toward said first section and received in said cut-away portion of said end link pant, a pair of arms extending laterally from said neck and spaced from said base, and a pair of hooks carried by said arms respectively and having portions extending respectively upwardly and then rearwardly generally toward said neck, said hooks passing through said slots in said end link part and extending around the edges of said slots, thereby to secure said two sections together.

18. The combination of claim 17, in which said second bracelet section comprises a spring, said spring being engaged and resiliently distorted by at least one of said downwardly extending walls of said end link part when said hooks extend around said slot edges, thereby to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hooks.

19. In the combination of claim 17, resilient means operatively connected to said end link part to urge it into telescoped relation with said first bracelet section, said resilient means thereby tending to resiliently retain said end link part in secured relationship to said hooks, said 10 first bracelet section having an aperture therethrough positioned behind said end link part when the latter is telescoped outwardly relative to said first bracelet section, thereby to permit an element to be inserted through said aperture to retain said end link part in its outwardly telescoped position.

20. The combination of claim 17, in which said slots have wide portions remote from said neck and narrow portions closer to said neok, said upwardly extending portions of said hooks being received in said narrow portions of said slots and said rearwardly extending hook portions being at least in part laterally offset relative to said upwardly extending hook portions, being passable through said wide slot portions, and later-ally overlapping said end link part adjacent said narrow slot portions when said upwardly extending portions are received in said narrow slot portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,030,686 Burkhardt Apr. 24, 1962 

1. IN COMBINATION, A FIRST BRACELET SECTION HAVING AN END LINK PART MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SECTION, SAID PART HAVING ON THE PORTION THEREOF MOVABLE OUT OF SAID SECTION, A CENTRAL LONGITUDINALLY CUT-AWAY PORTION AND A SLOT TO ONE SIDE OF SAID CUT-AWAY PORTION, AND A SECOND BRACELET SECTION HAVING A BASE, A NECK EXTENDING THEREFROM TOWARD SAID FIRST SECTION AND RECEIVED IN SAID CUTAWAY PORTION OF SAID END LINK PART, AN ARM EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID NECK AND SPACED FROM SAID BASE, AND A HOOK CARRIED BY SAID ARM, SAID HOOK PASSING THROUGH SAID SLOT IN SAID END LINK PART AND EXTENDING AROUND AN EDGE OF SAID SLOT, THEREBY TO SECURE SAID TWO SECTIONS TOGETHER. 